Thomas journals

  The Valle del Maiz festival, based in one of the oldest parishes of San Miguel, parades throughout the city on successive weekends in May.  Sunday the 28th it paraded through the central Parroquia , where we chanced upon it.  The seemingly never-ending sets of dancers were mostly representing indigenous groups in varied costumes, some maize-like, some skeletal, some more typical Indian dress, all dancing to drumbeats.  We first notice that the drummers were strangely not-costumed, as if they were randomly recruited at the last minute.  The dancers were mostly seriously focused on their synchronized dance – each group had a slight different step-pattern.  But we also notice the syncretism between the Church and the local culture, wherein all the banners had a cross and holy phrase – and each group, no matter the costume, paused when it passed in front of the Parroquia church, took off their hats and knelt in homage, most making the sign of the cross as well.  Then they stand up, the

  Factors typical for settling in Latin America: Studied Spanish language in school Longtime affinity for latin america & the culture Friends or family in or from latin america Living & working in latin america Wonderful past vacations in latin america We have had none of those.  Our attraction to latin america is only that it: Is exotic, not US Is inexpensive Is relatively close to the US Has same timezone as US The language is not difficult      We have personally checked Panama, Costa Rica, Medellín, Mexico City, and San Miguel de Allende.  We agreed that Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico City are not for us; probably Lake Chapala also, though we may try a house-sit there.  (I still like Medellín, and it is lowest-cost)        SMA is the most likely agreeable place in latin america for us, because it is amenable, pretty, walkable, artsy, and still less expensive than the US.  However, we have concerns about the inequalities that show up in the barbed-wire, walls, and gated housing